About the position
VHB is seeking an Entry Level Transit & Rail Planner to join our team in the Boston, MA office. The Transit & Rail Planner supports a range of transit and rail planning projects through research, data analysis, concept design development, technical documentation, and public outreach support.
Responsibilities
• Assists in the development of plans, programs, and strategies related to transit and rail systems, including bus, rail, ferry, and freight.
• Assists in the preparation of planning documents by researching and interpreting policy plans, transportation-related regulations, demographic data, statistical information, and related community context.
• Gathers, compiles, and analyzes data related to transportation systems, travel behavior, and community conditions to support planning studies and forecasting.
• Conducts surveys, field reviews, feasibility studies, and other planning assessments.
• Collaborates with internal team members, clients, and consultants to support project delivery and deadlines.
• Supports the preparation of conceptual designs, alternatives analyses, environmental documentation, master plans, code reviews, ridership analyses, and capacity assessments.
• Prepares graphics, maps, diagrams, and presentation materials to support planning projects, public engagement activities, and stakeholder meetings.
• Assists in preparing for, coordinating, and participating in public meetings, presentations, workshops, and other stakeholder meetings.
• Participates in professional and personal development aligned with career goals.
• Performs all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and company policies and procedures.
Requirements
• Foundational knowledge of planning principles, research methods, and data collection.
• Ability to apply quantitative and analytical skills to planning and transportation-related problem solving.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, with the ability to perform multiple tasks independently in a timely manner, and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
• 0-1 years of relevant planning experience, whether through coursework or professional experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field
Nice-to-haves
• Entry-level knowledge of transportation, transit, and/or rail planning preferred.
• Working knowledge of GIS tools, such as ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online, to support mapping, spatial analysis, and transportation planning tasks preferred.
• Familiarity with graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud) preferred.
Benefits
• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace